Aleinik: global armed conflicts can negate previously achieved progress of SDGs
The Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic, Sergei Aleinik, has taken part in a discussion at the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development as part of the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, which tackled the issue of parliamentary strategies to mitigate the long-term impact of conflicts on sustainable development
The Belarusian parliamentarian focused on the difficult geopolitical situation in the world and Belarus’ consistent position on conflict resolution via political and diplomatic efforts.
“The current geopolitical situation in the world is characterised by a high degree of tension in interstate relations, the restoration of block thinking and confrontation, and the real threat of some local conflicts escalating into a conflict on a global scale,” Mr. Aleinik underlined. “All this is facilitated by the degradation of the international security system, as well as the termination of a range of fundamental treaties in the field of arms control.”
The Council of the Republic member stressed the relevance of Belarus’ initiative, voiced by President Aleksandr Lukashenko, on the need to start a global security dialogue. He also informed about Belarus’ aspirations to restart important processes in the field of international security, including via joint search for effective long-term solutions within the framework of the International Conference on Eurasian Security.
Referring to the impact of conflicts on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Aleinik noted, “There is no doubt that armed conflicts do not just slow down the achievement of the SDGs, but can negate previously achieved progress in many areas of sustainable human development. The West’s military lobby has managed to reorient enormous resources to maintain conflicts in the hot phase, leading to a reduction in social, economic and other programmes aimed at ensuring sustainable development.”
Mr. Aleinik also stressed the important role of parliamentary strategies in conflict prevention and resolution.
